The definitive Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall vehicle, The Big Sleep casts Bogart as Raymond Chandler's cynical private eye Philip Marlowe. Summoned to the home of the fabulously wealthy General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), Marlowe is… MoreThe definitive Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall vehicle, The Big Sleep casts Bogart as Raymond Chandler's cynical private eye Philip Marlowe. Summoned to the home of the fabulously wealthy General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), Marlowe is hired to deal with a blackmailer shaking down the General's sensuous, thumb-sucking daughter Carmen (Martha Vickers). This earns Marlowe the displeasure of Carmen's sloe-eyed, seemingly straight-laced older sister Vivian (Bacall), who is fiercely protective of her somewhat addled sibling. As he pursues the case at hand, Marlowe gets mixed up in the murder of Arthur Geiger (Theodore von Eltz), a dealer in pornography. He also runs afoul of gambling-house proprietor Eddie Mars (John Ridgely), who seems to have some sort of hold over the enigmatic Vivian. Any further attempts to outline the plot would be futile: the storyline becomes so complicated and convoluted that even screenwriters William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett, and Jules Furthmann were forced to consult Raymond Chandler for advice (he was as confused by the plot as the screenwriters). When originally prepared for release in 1945, The Big Sleep featured a long exposition scene featuring police detective Bernie Ohls (Regis Toomey) explaining the more obscure plot details. This expository scene was ultimately sacrificed, along with several others, in favor of building up Bacall's part; for instance, a climactic sequence was reshot to emphasize sexual electricity between Bogart and Bacall, obliging Warners to replace a supporting player who'd gone on to another project. The end result was one of the most famously baffling film noirs but also one of the most successful in sheer star power. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The plethora of killings now seems on the whole less horrific than it once did, while the film's tone of escalating absurdity in a genuinely dark world grows if anything even more sprightly as the years go by.

If one enjoys a detective outing that makes sense, where all the dots connect, then one need search elsewhere, making sense is not the purpose here. But if… MoreIf one enjoys a detective outing that makes sense, where all the dots connect, then one need search elsewhere, making sense is not the purpose here. But if moody atmospherics and crack dialogue is your thing then settle in for one primo experience

Jim Hunter

Phillip Marlowe gets embroiled in a family's drama, which quickly turns murderous.
Everything about this film is perfect. The mystery is compelling and… MorePhillip Marlowe gets embroiled in a family's drama, which quickly turns murderous.
Everything about this film is perfect. The mystery is compelling and engaging because the characters are always ahead of the audience, which is refreshing in this age when everything but flashing arrows tell modern audiences when the detective encounters a clue. The writing is sharp and funny with lines so good and so right for Bogie that it's impossible to imagine anyone else saying them. For example:
Eddie Mars: Is that any of your business?
Philip Marlowe: I could make it my business.
Eddie Mars: I could make your business mine.
Philip Marlowe: Oh, you wouldn't like it. The pay's too small.
And there's Bogie and Bacall -- film legends with legendary chemistry -- who sizzle the screen. It's only their talent that makes a rather tepid love story work.
I don't see anything profound or socially necessary about The Big Sleep, but films like this can be intellectually engaging and fun.
Overall, The Big Sleep is a foundational film and a great time at the movies.

Reid Volk

In Howard Hawks' 1946 film noir The Big Sleep, Humphrey Bogart is at the top of his game. In fact, while I love Ford, Hayden, Andrews, and other famous… MoreIn Howard Hawks' 1946 film noir The Big Sleep, Humphrey Bogart is at the top of his game. In fact, while I love Ford, Hayden, Andrews, and other famous noir protagonists, Bogart's take on hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe is simply fantastic. His demeanor is stern but seemingly carefree and his humor is imprudent and laced with sinister undertones. Whether you credit that to Faulkner's screenplay, Hawks' direction, or Bogart's prowess, the performance is outstanding.
For the film itself, it is very detailed. While this is my first Hawks film, I am amazed at the attention he gives to the most simplistic actions. For example, when Marlowe is interrogating a suspect, their is almost more to read out of their body language than their actual words. The camera is angled perfectly to capture the interviewees anxious movements as he attempts to avoid any type of eye contact with Marlowe. A simple interview becomes a mental chess game as Marlowe counters these movements.
This is simply one example of many beautifully crafted scenes in this sprawling crime story that is chalk full of shadows, shady people, and copious amounts of raw violence taking place in a dimly lit city.
While most noirs are filled with a large cast of double crossers, this cast of characters seems exceptionally grand and can sometimes be tedious to keep track of. The fact that there are so many characters means that many characters don't have enough screen time for the audience to get adequately acquainted with them. While this doesn't detract too much from the greatness of this film, it sometimes makes it difficult to become fully immersed in the picture. In the end, this is a great film with solid directing and astonishing performances. With a tighter script, this film could have been worthy of my coveted 5 stars.

♥Robyn M♥

The story involves Philip Marlowe (Bogart), being hired by a wealthy man, General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), to investigate the supposed gambling debts of a… MoreThe story involves Philip Marlowe (Bogart), being hired by a wealthy man, General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), to investigate the supposed gambling debts of a wild daughter, Carmen, played by Martha Vickers. In the course of the film, Marlowe becomes involved with pornographers, grifters, murder, illegal gambling, and the familys OTHER daughter, Vivian, played with great style, by Lauren Bacall.

Carlos Magalh„es

A smart detective story full of the most exquisite dialogue and with an extremely complex plot that prompts us to try to connect the pieces of the intricate… MoreA smart detective story full of the most exquisite dialogue and with an extremely complex plot that prompts us to try to connect the pieces of the intricate puzzle in our heads, even if it actually does not answer all of the questions (the death of a certain character is left unsolved).

I really enjoy "The Big Sleep" for it's stylish demeanor, it's mega-wat star power and it's entertaining and twisty plot. While the… MoreI really enjoy "The Big Sleep" for it's stylish demeanor, it's mega-wat star power and it's entertaining and twisty plot. While the film is not as refined thematically as "The Maltese Falcon," "The Big Sleep" is certainly more cinematic. Howard Hawks knows how to craft an energetic picture and "The Big Sleep" is certainly that. Add in the crackerjack chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and the nasty and witty sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and you are in for quite a treat.

familiar stranger

The film didn't impress me as a film-noir as much as it impressed me on the funny note. Humphrey Bogart plays the role of carefree detective, with strong… MoreThe film didn't impress me as a film-noir as much as it impressed me on the funny note. Humphrey Bogart plays the role of carefree detective, with strong presence of mind, quite well. He gets some of the great lines in the movie and his timing is perfect. Though the movie failed to fulfill my high expectations, it surely wasn't a total disaster either. The movie is worth a watch only for Humphrey Bogart's unique and incredible performance.

Chris Weber

it's supposed to be a classic, and, while I did enjoy this film noir caper, I must say...it's pretty overrated.
Based on a novel by Raymond Chandler,… Moreit's supposed to be a classic, and, while I did enjoy this film noir caper, I must say...it's pretty overrated.
Based on a novel by Raymond Chandler, this is about cynical private investigator Philip Marlowe and his involvement in a blackmail case that turns murderous. The film is noted for being really complex and confusing, and that's one of my main issues with it. I'm not a stupid person, but if the three screenwriters who adapted this had to contact Chandler and ask him to tell them what was going on, and even he didn't really know (or so he said), then you've got some problems here.
I've watched, and enjoyed, some very complex and convoluted films before, but here it just didn't stick. I think maybe too it has something to do with how hyped this film was. Yeah, it's a strong mystery, and sure, maybe I did enjoy the fact that it's really more about the procedural aspects of a criminal investigation than the results, but even then it feels unsatisfying. Maybe that has to do with my other major complaint, which is censorship.
I know that you can still have a great work of art without having to details all the graphic aspects, but when the more sordid stuff is integral to the film, then maybe yeah, they need to be shown. Obviously that wasn't gonna happen in the 40s, but maybe they could have tried to really be groundbreaking, even if it meant courting more controversy than they would have wanted to deal with. Look at stuff like A Clockwork Orange as a prime example.
Sorry for ranting, I just couldn't help it. Anyways, yeah, this is a fun, though challenging mystery thriller. I think what makes it work in the end are the performances, and the chemistry the cast have with one another, especially where Bogart and Bacall are concerned. Those tow are terrific, and its said that Bogart's turn are Marlowe is the definitive one. Works for me. Martha Vickers is also really good, and, even though she makes just a brief appearance, I loved Dorothy Malone as the book seller that Marlowe has a moment with while hiding out in her shop. It's a great scene (and one where I'm okay with the subtlety).
Despite how much of a complicated mess this is, the film does have some great lines, and a dry and sardonic sense of humor. It's really stylish, and from a formal perspective, is very impressive. The look is great, it's well shot, and the score by Max Steiner is a real treat.
It has its flaws, and I'm prepared to have my cinema buff card revoked for saying anything bad about this film, but I stand by my judgment. I did like it, and do recommend it, but think that it's not as grand as I was lead to believe.

Graham Jones

Bogart gives a pitch perfect performance as Philp Marlowe in the second Hawks/Bogart/Bacall classic. This noir gem is a true treat to watch.

Michael Gildea

Jesus Christ, where to begin? Humphrey Bogart's (who's amazing on his own here) chemistry with the sizzling Lauren Bacall is the obvious centerpiece… MoreJesus Christ, where to begin? Humphrey Bogart's (who's amazing on his own here) chemistry with the sizzling Lauren Bacall is the obvious centerpiece of the movie, but Howard Hawks' direction was nothing to scoff at either. The supporting cast and the dialogue/banter definitely helped out under the hood as well. The Big Sleep isn't impossible to follow but it definitely keeps the viewer on their toes and doesn't let up too often. For as better as the movie gets with each viewing and as great as it is, the scene with Bogart and Dorothy Malone is amazing and deserving of its own movie. Big name film noir at its best...

Aj V

A brilliant, if sometimes complicated, story of private eye Phillip Marlowe played by Bogart. Bacall co-stars. This is a classic 40s film noir, and I highly… MoreA brilliant, if sometimes complicated, story of private eye Phillip Marlowe played by Bogart. Bacall co-stars. This is a classic 40s film noir, and I highly recommend it.